After living in Afghanistan for seven years, Australian journalist Travis Beard began recording local metal band District Unknown to chronicle a part of Afghan life that is rarely shown in Western media. The film features never before seen footage of Kabul and the underground expat party scene, at odds with an extremely conservative society. To challenge conflict with culture, Afghanistan’s first metal band, District Unknown literally put themselves and their followers in the firing line. They became targets because their music connected and communicated to and with Afghan youth, the expat community living in Afghanistan and international audiences. We watch as the five unassuming young men deal with identity and freedom in a place where both can get you killed. Is their love of country, band and family stronger than the call of a more normal life abroad?

WP Rotterdam IFF 2018